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Precinct 4's Role in Debris Removal

Now, where do you put your debris? As part of flood recovery efforts, Precinct 4's Road & Bridge crews will remove debris from affected areas in Precinct 4. While this may not occur for weeks, residents can take steps now to make debris removal faster in the future. To qualify for debris removal, you will need to follow directions to help the cleanup effort run smoothly.

First, residents should know the debris removal process may not start for weeks. Road & Bridge crews are still clearing roadways and making rescues in flood-affected areas. Water in some of those areas could linger for weeks. Until then, do not block roadways with cars or debris. Piling debris along roadways will hinder cleanup crews, and could also slow emergency service vehicles responding to emergencies. If heavy rains hit the area again, debris could clog the drainage system and cause more flooding.

For now, residents are encouraged to begin piling their debris in the right-of-way between the curb and sidewalk. Debris should be sorted before cleanup efforts begin to avoid having to sort items later. Keeping items organized in neat piles will help crews travel through the area faster. More importantly, sorting your items and keeping cars out of roadways ensures that crews will be able to get to your debris.

Debris should be separated into the following categories:

• Vegetative debris (no bags allowed)

• Construction and demolition debris

• Small and large appliances (should be emptied and taped shut)

• Electronics

• Household Hazardous Waste (paint, batteries, tires)

Household trash will not be picked up by Precinct 4. Household hazardous waste should be taken to the County’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 6900 Hahl Road for disposal. Please call the Debris Removal Hotline at 713-274-3880 for hours and more information or visit www.eng.hctx.net/Consultants/Household-Hazardous/Household-Hazardous-Waste.

• Patience: As our community begins the overwhelming task of cleanup following the storm, please be patient and understanding. There are more than 1 million residents in Precinct 4 and many were impacted by Hurricane Harvey to some degree. Debris removal will take months, so please bear with us during this time.

• Placement: Clear bags may be used for all items except vegetative debris. Place items in a pile in a public right-of-way between the curb and sidewalk. Do not place debris near fire hydrants, gas meters, mailboxes, or in roadways or ditches.

• Parking: Please do not leave cars in the street during debris removal.

• Public Dumpster: Area dumpster locations are being established, so stay tuned for details to come soon. Hazardous material and contractor equipment is not allowed in dumpsters.

Anyone whose debris cannot be removed will have access to approved dumpster locations across the county. Anyone with questions can call the Disaster Recovery Hotline at 713-274-3880. Anyone with questions about Precinct 4's recovery efforts can call the Community Assistance Department at 281-353-8424.

Related

Debris Removal Hotline Still Active

Precinct 4 continues to make progress on debris removal for the nearly 11,000 homes that flooded across the precinct.
With the first of three passes complete, debris removal crews are now beginning their second pass in Precinct 4’s flood-affected areas. Although crews required three weeks to clean up after the Tax Day Floods last year, Precinct 4 and its partners are now removing the same amount of debris in two days. To date, crews have removed nearly 500,000 cubic yards of debris from Precinct 4 neighborhoods.

Debris Removal by the Numbers

Arduous, staggering, and monumental have all been used to describe post-Harvey cleanup efforts. In the wake of catastrophic flooding brought on by 30 to 50 inches of rain, many residents are wondering how long they will have to wait before their debris is removed. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t simple.
Here’s what residents need to know about debris removal:
• Debris removal crews will continue visiting each neighborhood until all debris is removed.
In Precinct 4, nearly 11,000 homes flooded with more than 2 feet of water.

Why You Should Sort Your Debris

For many Precinct 4 residents whose homes flooded, cleanup began as soon as the waters receded and ended less than a week later with towering piles of debris stacked on the curb.
Weeks later, most of that debris remains.
Now that recovery is in full swing, county officials are requesting that residents begin sorting their debris to make the cleanup process speedier and more efficient.
“In many homes, volunteers came and set all the debris out by the curb, and it’s too jumbled to separate. Don’t panic,” said Commissioner R. Jack Cagle. “The debris will still be picked up. The process will just be slower, as our contractors are going to have to sort it.

Public Storm Debris Drop-Off Site Opens in Precinct 4

A new storm debris drop-off site opens in Precinct 4 Friday, Sept. 8 at 9 a.m. for residents in unincorporated Harris County.
The Public Storm Debris Drop-Off Site is located at 13928 Humble Road in Tomball off Highway 249 and will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the flood recovery effort. Residents of unincorporated Harris County must provide proof of residency and accompany their load. For more information, call the Harris County Residential Debris and Damage Assessment Hotline at 713-274-3880. Debris should be separated...

Partnership Improves Safety at Precinct 4 Parks

Residents can now enjoy safer parks and greenway trails thanks to a new partnership with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
In August, Precinct 4’s Parks Department and deputies with the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office met with game wardens to share information, pledge resources, and get to know each other over a hot pot of coffee.
The meeting was designed to benefit all organizations. Wardens agreed to act as additional boots on the ground and support Precinct 4 constables patrolling Precinct 4 parks. Now wardens know who to call if a poacher encroaches on Precinct 4 property

Precinct 4 Senior Adult Program’s April Calendar

Precinct 4’s Senior Adult Program provides senior adult trips and activities for everyone 50 years of age and better. Register online at www.hcp4.net/sap/events or call 281-893-3726. Checks are payable to Fun4Seniors and should be mailed to 1731 Hugh Road, Houston, Texas 77067.
Harris County Precinct 4 programs serve people of all ages, regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or physical ability.